The Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James (37) — how much longer will that be good?
The NBA giant is supposed to be brewing something powerful right now. “The Athletic” reports that the situation is “tense” and that the mood is like in “early days of a war”.
What’s behind it?
According to “The Athletic”, there is a risk of a power struggle between LeBron James and general manager Rob Pelinka, who is said to have failed to fulfill the megastar’s transfer wishes.
According to this, the powerful player advisor Rich Paul, who looks after LeBron and is a close friend of him, is said to be angry that Pelinka did not bring John Wall (31 / Houston Rockets), who he also looks after, to the Lakers for Russell Westbrook (33). .
Westbrook came before the season, a deal LeBron James personally bagged to finally make the team a title contender again. But Westbrook has disappointed so far, so Wall should come.
The “Bleacher Report” even describes the sporting situation as a “disaster” because Westbrook hardly strengthened the Lakers.
Pelinka even publicly stated that his personnel decisions were closely coordinated with James and Anthony Davis, the second Lakers megastar. A lie, according to The Athletic!
So LeBron, like his advisor, is supposed to be pissed that the squad, which is currently only ranked 9th in the Western Conference, has not been strengthened. If the subscription champions from Los Angeles actually make it into the playoffs, a hammer opponent like the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors or Memphis Grizzlies threatens.
The sticking point was: Pelinka would have been willing to trade Westbrook for Wall, but didn’t want to sacrifice a valuable first-round draft pick for 2027.
Now there are even rumors that LeBron, who still has a contract until 2023, should seek a change or swap to another club after this season. In this context, the name of his ex-club Cleveland Cavaliers falls.
Will the Lakers lose LeBron — or what’s next?
James had just confirmed that he still wants to play with his son Bronny in the NBA in his career – no matter where the son man ends up by draft! However, that would not be the case before 2024. Accordingly, LeBron would have to sign a one-year contract from 2023 to 2024 so that he would then be free.
The next few weeks seem crucial as to what LeBron’s future looks like. Whether there will be peace—or will there actually be separation!
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The USA Insider! Nils Suling lives in the USA and analyzes the issues America is talking about. Everything about football, basketball, ice hockey, baseball, soccer, martial arts. Follow the USA insider on Twitter: @NilsSuling
